Entering Turkey from Greece on a regular basis.

[mocruising]

I understand that when you enter Turkey from a foreign port that you need to obtain a permit, and submit this permit when you clear out. If you visit Turkey from Greece on a "Regular basis" say two or three times a season do you have to go through the process each time entering in and paying up using an agent, or can you just continue using the same permit.

Some will ask why would this be necessary. I am still working and although I spend four months plus a year on the boat, I need to be seen to be in the EU.

 

[truscott]

Yes, you are supposed to check in and out each time you come and go. The consequences for not doing this on either side are quite severe. This isn't because they're out to mess with your holiday, but more that the Turkey/Greece border is one of the most heavily affected areas for people smuggling. Someone such as yourself, making frequent undocumented trips across this border, fits that profile to a T.

Why not just get two passports? I know this is possible for UK passports (fairly common practice here in the Middle East).

PT.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Assuming you're EU passports and EU registered leisure boat under 24m:

If you play this straight, the only expense is booking out of Turkey each time you leave, and booking back in and getting a new cruise permit each time you arrive back in Turkey. This will occupy about half a day each time. Use an agent for speed, and add €30 or so to the cost, or DIY and face some hassle and time wasting . . .

At the Greek end, you keep your DEKPA when you leave, tell port police, who will book you out to destination Turkey. On your return, book in with immigration, then port police, who will stamp your DEKPA.

If you don't go through this procedure, and instead attempt to keep both Greek and Turkey cruise permits alive, remember that Greek port police sometimes inspect passports for Turkey entry/exit visa entries - which will now be dated to trace the 90 days in 180 rules.

 

[Squeaky]

Good afternoon:

When arriving in Turkey, you are required to clear in and obtain a Transit Log which is not really a cruising permit - it is more a customs document allowing you to have a yacht in the country without paying any taxes or customs charges - the yacht can remain in Turkey for five years. The owner/skipper must obtain a visa or residence permit for varing lengths of time.

When thinking about nipping back and forth between Turkey and Greece without clearing, I suggest you consider how the authorities would react to an Iranian or other non-EU citizen nipping in and out of harbours on the south coast of the UK without reference to the border agency or customs. I think they would frown on this to say the least.

Of course, you have to be caught at it but the danger is always there.

Cheers

Squeaky